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 An evening walk on Ocean Drive, especially on the weekend , will introduce you to the neon-lit atmosphere that reigned in the 1930s. The city has reduced street lighting on this strip to conserve the atmosphere of this unique Art Deco streetscape. The plastic forms of the buildings are highlighted by the neon, and the coloration reminds one of post impressionistic paintings like "The Diner". The all-night party scene will seem intimate but more noisy on the Club side of the street, but a walk along the beach promenade side will make it seem serene by comparison and give you a better visual perspective. |
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Art Deco District (from Visitobonline) The term Art Deco was coined by historian Bevis Hillier in 1968 to describe early 20th century modern design. The title is French in origin, derived from the celebrated 1925 Paris Exposition des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Two words in the exposition's title—industrial and modern—define much of what the style is about. The Paris exposition sought to combine the ambitions of the earlier Arts and Crafts Movement with industrial technology. The result was a new, rich style of ornamentation made up of sharp, angular geometric forms and stylized natural designs. Art Deco also developed as a very "modern" style. As technology and invention sped forward during the decades following World War I, the new century seemed to demand a more modern style. Architects were encouraged to find their inspiration not from the forms of the past but in the machine-produced designs of the present. Out of this love affair with technology and modernism came the Art Deco architectural style. With their flat roofs, smooth stucco walls and distinctly modern look, most Art Deco buildings are usually easy to spot. But there is some variety in the style, and architectural historians usually divide Art Deco into two major periods: decorated (1926-1936) and Streamline (the 1930s). Go to the Visitobonline website to read the rest of this article. (provided by Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resourced, Florida Heritage Magazine, Michael Zimny) |
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Art Deco District - History (from Diner City)
The historic Art Deco District in South Beach, famous for its 800 buildings designed in the distinctive architectural style of the 1930s, covers one square mile of Miami Beach. In that stretch lies amazing boutique-style hotels, most of which have been restored to their original beauty. The southern end of the the 10-mile-long barrier island of Miami Beach is home to the Art Deco National Historic District, the only location in the United States to be so designated. These buildings are soaring examples of pre-war modernism with charactertic rounded corners and geometric ornamentation. While the area is thriving today, the southern region of Miami Beach has a less than perfect history. When the first buildings were completed in the 1920's during prohibition, South Beach soon became associated with liquor and gambling and attracted the likes of Al Capone. By the early 1980's, much of the Art Deco district had become a slum and a center for drug traffic. South Beach experienced an unprecedented revival in the late 80's which some partially attribute to the success of the TV show "Miami Vice." More likely, it was the result of the non-profit Miami Design Preservation League and its founder Barbara Baer Capitman. Today, almost all of the original buildings have been meticulously restored and painted in a colorful array of pastels. Known familiarly as "SoBe" the area is now the chic-est place to be in all of Miami and Miami Beach and has been referred to as "America's Riviera." The highlight of the district is the strip of hotels along Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th street. Visit Diner City for photos of the Colony Hotel, the Plymouth Hotel, the Breakwater Hotel, and the Waldorf Towers. |
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Photo Gallery from Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource
Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida - this gallery will give you a real selection of the splendid buildings in the area. 
The collection includes detailed photography of The Adrian, The Avalon, The Beacon Hotel, The Breakwater, The Cardozo Hotel, The Casablanca, The Cavalier, The Colony Hotel, The Cresent, The Edison, The Essex, The Leslie, The Majestic, The Netherland, The Ocean Plaza, Park Central Hotel, The Starlite Hotel, The Waldorf Towers Hotel, The Winter Haven, and an assortment of Lifeguard huts on South Beach.Visit the Photo Gallery from Exploring Florida website |
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 Art Deco Weekend
The Art Deco Weekend Festival was started in 1976 by the Miami Design Preservation League to attract visitors to Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District and to raise awareness and appreciation of the arts and culture of the Art Deco era (approx. 1925-1945). In 2003, the festival attracted more than a quarter million visitors. For more information on this tour, visit the Miami Design Preservation League website or call MDPL at 305-672-2014 South Beach Art Deco Welcome Center
In the Heart of South Beach and on Ocean Drive, this little space is your complete source of information about Miami Beach's famous Art Deco District. Run by the Miami Design Preservation League, the Art Deco Welcome Center is located across the street from the Clevelander and the Edison Hotels. Look for fascinating books and souvenirs from the world-famous Art Deco District.South Beach Art Deco Welcome Center 1001 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach 305-672-2014 Offers A 60-75 minute self-guided audio tour 7 days a week. Hours: 11 am - 6 pm weekdays 10 am - 10 pm Saturdays 11 am - 10 pm Sundays |
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